Married Inc.

This past Friday, December 7th, was the inaugural Spouse 2.0 day. I was busy working until around 9pm, so I missed observing it. Lucky for me, John missed observing it too (he was at work with me). I suppose that is one of the big advantages of working with your spouse—you can’t have ill-feelings towards their work and the way it over-powers your personal life. You are equally guilty of neglecting the fabled “work-life balance”. If you happen to be an ambitious, entrepreneurial sort, working with your spouse may be your best bet for ensuring you spend time with your loved one, and share your interests. Running your own business leaves little time or energy for pursuing “other interests”. Building your business is your other interest, and if you have time left over, you should spend it sleeping.

After the deal

Many people we meet are amazed that John & I can work together. The amazement starts with the fact we got married and started our business in the same month. It continues when we tell them that we then proceeded to live in John’s parent’s basement for 1.5 years (it was a lovely basement). Interestingly enough, after moving to San Francisco we managed to work at different companies for a total of 3 months before John joined me at Affinity Labs. It’s been 3 years now, and we’re still doing it; now at Savvica. I think we’re addicted. I have to tell John everything. I feel an innate need to have him understand me because he’s been such a huge part in my personal growth. Success in business is about taking risks, and managing the execution. I’m good at the managing part. John pushes me to take risks that I would never take on my own. As a result my professional growth is far beyond where I think I’d have gone on my own. John is my safety blanket.

Is it difficult? Sometimes. However, I wouldn’t say it is any harder than just being married and having 2 separate careers. There are just different issues to worry about. I suspect it is a lot easier than working full-time and raising kids. The secret to making it work you ask? Drum roll please …. …. …. Communication! (You can purchase this lovely book and learn all about it.) Cliché, obvious, and true. Personality helps too—two crazy type As probably won’t work that well together!

Connect with us if you’re considering on working with your spouse. I’ve heard many disaster stories. I’ve heard a few success stories.